Pathways KIDS Program

Enhancing Quality of Life

Pathways KIDS is a family-centered program specifically designed to provide home visits for children with life-threatening illnesses. The focus is on enhancing quality of life for the child and family through the medical expertise of the Pathways KIDS Team and its supportive care. The team is on call 24 hours a day for consultation or home visits when needed.

How the Team Works

The Pathways KIDS Team works with the child, family, and child’s doctor to plan individualized care based on the family’s goals. The entire family, including brothers and sisters, receive support. The team also provides the resources of a medical director certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and pediatric specialty nurse consultants.

Embracing Innovation & Creativity

We want to help families continue life as normally as possible. To do this we help to control pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. One of the innovative ways we do this is with our rich Integrated Therapies Program. This provides creative ways to complement medicine to manage symptoms—things like aromatherapy, comfort touch, music therapy, and guided imagery.

Our Goal is Providing Support

We also can give families emotional and spiritual support. While the goal of our program is comfort, any treatment option can be explored. Pathways comfort care can be provided at the same time as treatments aimed at curing.

When a child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, making the right decisions can be hard. We listen to what families want and help them steer through the healthcare system. We attend to the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of each family — with respect for their cultural traditions.

Additional Pathways KIDS Program Information Available

• About the Pathways KIDS Team
• Making the Call to Pathways
• A Caring Community
• Grief Support
• Pathways KIDS Patient - Baby Ella's Story in San Jose Mercury News Wishbook
• Pathways KIDS Program Information Sheet